The last few weeks have been exciting around here. First of all, I need to talk about an amazing little convention in Springfield, MO called VisionCon. My After Action Report is a little late, but most of that was recovery time. In 2012, VisionCon entered it’s 20th year with a bang. I’ll say this, Missouri is the “Show Me” state, so when I landed, I said, “Show me a party.” They didn’t disappoint. The event was well organized, and the staff, including Melody, Keith, Michael, our gopher Jay, and all the rest made sure things went very smoothly, save for one fire-alarm incident brought on by a badgeless interloper. Everyone was very warm, hospitable, and quite drunk. Even though the con was small, (about 1500 attendees) it always felt very alive and moving. Sharing a booth with Shane Moore, we moved quite a good volume of books. Imagine that, geeks who want to read! I made a lot of new friends, met up with some great contacts, and acquired two new nicknames.

Oh, and if you’re ever at a Con and The Damsels of Dorkington are making an appearance, go! Unless you have something against smart, pretty girls making a ton of geek culture references and swearing a lot. Just don’t sit in the front row. In conclusion, if you’re within a thousand miles of Springfield, GO TO VISIONCON in 2013.

Even more exciting for me personally was the big announcement of the weekend, one I’ve had to be tight lipped about for over a month. As of now Shane Moore is handing off his popular “Wererat’s Tale” series of novellas to a new author. Starting with book number three, tentatively titled The Collar of Perdition, I will be penning Kellacun’s adventures as she works as a spy and assassin for a dark Elven King. We expect book three to hit the shelves around Christmas, although nothing is set in stone yet. Shane and I spend several productive, inebriated hours at the bar at VisionCon laying an outline for this book, and I must say I’m excited to write it. It will be epic.

On the same topic, my first stand alone Abyss Walker novella, Swords and Ploughshares, should be reaching stores in late summer. Keep checking in for more updates.

I’ve just found out that the third installment of the “Monsters” short story series has found a home in the next Crimson Pact anthology. This will be the third book, due out next month, so if you haven’t yet taken the opportunity, please give the first two volumes a try. Each has over five hundred pages of short stories from two dozen up-and-coming authors, many of whom are getting their first exposure to the publishing world through this project. And if you’re still bucking the e-reader trend, (like I am) volumes I and II are now available on Amazon in trade paperbacks.

I think that about does it for now. So until next time, sally forth and get your geek on.

Okay, long time no see. Real life and the day job got in the way for a while there, but now I’m back in the saddle. So, while I was out, my Abyss Walker project, now tentatively titled The Plowman, has been submitted to the publisher for a final review. A publication date has yet to be scheduled, but you can be sure I’ll be screaming it from the rooftops once it comes.

In other news, the BattleTech short, called “Sore Loser” has been cleaned up and resent to the editor. I hope you like it, Jason. I’ve begun work on the third and final story in the “Monsters” arch for the third installment of The Crimson Pact Anthology series, which is due out in June. A Hole in the Fence is still hoping to land representation soon, and I’ve made good progress on my second novel.

I’ll be attending VisionCon next month alongside Abyss Walker creator Shane Moore, actually meeting him for the first time in person, so there is a chance he doesn’t actually exist. Also, I’ve received my panel assignments for GenCon 2012, and I’m pleased to report that they’re going to let me talk about shooting and stabbing things for two hours. You can imagine how happy this makes me.

Mmm, some big updates to post today. Firstly, I’ve recently returned from a SFWA reception in New York. They did it right, renting out a private room in Planet Hollywood on Times Square, complete with an open bar, which I’m sure some of the participants came to regret the next morning as they stumbled into work. Fortunately, we Wisconsinites are made of tougher stuff, and I held my own. There were some amazing talents present, including editors, agents, publishers, and all the other behind-the-scenes people who make our little industry work. I must give a heartfelt shout out to Brooks Sherman and Alice Speilburg, who helped pass the evening with good humor and better advice.

In other news, I’ve completed and submitted the Abyss Walker novella project. Nothing left now but the waiting and inevitable edits. Also, another agent has requested a look at the full manuscript for A Hole in the Fence. So one ream of paper and a toner cartridge later, I have another torpedo in the water. Gotta hit something eventually.

Now that the novella is complete, I’ve returned to two projects that had been on hold, including a short story set in the BattleTech universe, and my second novel, which generated some considerable interest among the crowd at the SFWA reception. Nothing like having Charlene Harris’s agent ask to see some material to get a writer motivated.

I’ll be headed to World Fantasy Con in San Diego at the end of the month. Things are starting to get really exciting around here. Keep checking back for updates.

If you tried to visit the site in the last couple of days, but were unable to, I do apologize. Apparently, I’m important enough now to be hacked by a gang of unemployed, basement-dwelling teens in Bangladesh. Although I must admit that I am astounded by their skills, what with the labyrinthine system of biometric security features this site employs. My only question is which one of them had to do the whole Mission Impossible, dangle-from-the-ceiling-don’t-touch-the-floor routine. Truly, these were computer infiltration masterminds of nearly unlimited power and potential.

What I could have done to offend these masters of chaos enough to divert them from their work cracking the e-vaults at the Pentagon, DARPA, MI5, and Interpol truly baffles me. Whatever it was, gentlemen, I humbly apologize.

The Crimson Pact: Volume II is up and running on Amazon today. For your $5, you get 28 stories from all over the demon-fighting multiverse. You like steam-punk? We have you covered. Urban-fantasy, horror, sci-fi? There’s something here for you. With over 500 pages, it’s a great value. My short story, “Monsters in the Closet” is a direct sequel to the tale spun in the first volume. Katie and Jaws return, and Izzy is more powerful than ever. But can she control her gifts, as well as her hormones? Also, kick-ass car chase scene.

So please consider supporting my work, as well as the work of more than two dozen other talented writers, including an exclusive story from NYT Best-selling author of the Monster Hunter series, Larry Correia. And if you really like it, please write us a review.